[DeTomaso] What's up with reverse

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/6/09 3:40:37 PM, ihannington286720mi at comcast.net 
writes:

> I've always had a little trouble getting into reverse but now it seems a 
> bit worse.  If I try with the engine running it grinds bad.  I can put it 
> in reverse and then start the engine but the car slowly creeps backward with 
> the clutch fully depressed. 
> 
Your clutch is dragging badly, and reverse is the only gear without a 
synchronizer (all manual transmissions). On a stock Pantera clutch, disengagement 
distance is marginal when everything is brand new: after many years, 
linkage slop and minor leakage reduces even that. Matt the clutch pedal with the 
engine off, and stick a flat feeler blade thru the bellhosing hole. This will 
usually only give 0.030" of clearance-or less, which means you have maybe 
0.015" on both sides of the clutch plate. Wobble in the clutch disc is more 
than that so the clutch drags the flywheel and clutch plate, wearing the 
synchros on every single shift. Its worse when the engine and ZF warm up 'cause 
internal clearances shift to the small side. This is exactly why we 
recommend a long throw clutch slave WITH a replacement clutch master cylinder 
(ideally, with a larger bore than stock) for ALL Panteras. The reason I suggest 
changing BOTH cylinders at once is, they wear out as a system; changing only 
one often causes the remaining part to blow out spectacularly. Good luck, 
Ian- J Deryke


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